Object Details
Maker
Fulbe artist
Label Text
Married Fulbe women wear large gold earrings, called kwottenai, to display and reflect personal and family wealth. They are handed down from mother to daughter or are purchased by a husband as a gift to his wife. Because the Fulbe lead a nomadic life that is devoted to cattle herding and trading, most objects indicative of wealth and prestige must be portable.
These earrings are formed from gold bars that have been beaten into thin blades and are then twirled out from the anchor points. Often the blades are incised with figures, flowers or cattles. The mercantile value of these earrings is calculated by the weight of the gold, but the artistry of the goldsmith contributes greatly to the owner's prestige in possessing the earrings.
Description
Gold alloy earring of hammered gold formed into three lobes with gold loop wrapped in red fiber.
Exhibition History
Visionary: Viewpoints on Africa's Arts, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 4, 2017-ongoing
The Artistry of African Currency, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., March 12-July 23, 2000
History, Context, Materials: Selections from the Permanent Collection of the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 12, 1985-January 5, 1986
Patterns and Forms, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., August 20-September 16, 1984
Published References
Robbins, Warren M. and Nancy I. Nooter. 1989. African Art in American Collections. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, p. 531, nos. 1415-1416.
Content Statement
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
Credit Line
Acquisition funds donated by the Friends of the National Museum of African Art and by Robert and Nancy Nooter, and museum purchase
Date
Mid-late 20th century
Object number
84-6-5.1
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Jewelry
Medium
Gold alloy, fiber
Dimensions
H x W x D: 7 x 8.3 x 5.7 cm (2 3/4 x 3 1/4 x 2 1/4 in.)
Geography
Mali
See more items in
National Museum of African Art Collection
Exhibition
Visionary: Viewpoints on Africa's Arts
On View
NMAfA, Second Level Gallery (2193)
Data Source
National Museum of African Art
Topic
Status
Adornment
Female use
male
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmafa_84-6-5.1